Murphy's Very Exciting Day

Relocation requires a lot of finding new people to do things - not just doctors and vets and such, but dog groomers and reliable oil change places. I tested a nearby grooming salon with Sophie's pedicure, and today took Murphy in for a long overdue grooming.

This place does things differently from the standard dog grooming salon. Instead of keeping the dogs in separate cages while awaiting their turn on the table, they all have the run of the place and just hang out together. I was somewhat concerned about this - when your dog is nearly 11 years old and weighs 7 lbs. soaking wet and can be defensively growly around bigger strange dogs, the thought of leaving him there with a dozen or so strange dogs (one of which was the size of a pony) was...concerning. Okay, it put me in a frenzy of neurotic worry, but I know that was just ME, and I needed to get past it. The staff was really nice, the dogs all appeared happy, mellow and friendly, (it is the calmest and most relaxed dog salon I've ever encountered) so I crossed my fingers and handed my itty bitty bossy dog over the half-door, and watched a nice lady fuss over him and then unceremoniously put him down on the floor with a dozen dogs, the smallest of which was more than twice his size, who all of course gathered around to check out the new kid. And I held my breath, trying to look all cool and relaxed and not like what I am, a neurotic dog mommy scared to death about her little baby in that pack of strange dogs.

And it was that "Leaving your baby for the first day of preschool," moment all over again - Murphy looked at me with shining eyes, then scampered off to explore the place and engage in a sociable round of butt-sniffing with his new friends. He wasn't even slightly intimidated by the dog the size of a pony, whose head was the size of Murphy's entire body. (It really was a sweet and mellow dog, and freaking humongous.) He had a wonderful time, came home groomed and soft as a bunny rabbit, and we have a new groomer.

Murphy of course didn't get a moment's rest while there and came home a bit over-stimulated, but in a good way. He had a blast and made new friends, and the staff adored him. So hooray, we have a new groomer, and in nice weather we will be able to walk to and from his hair appointments. And I am reminded yet again that when I tell those nervous, quavering neurotic voices in my head to STFU, everybody has more fun.